Along with a whopping 18 other digital camera announcements, Fujifilm has begun the Pre-CES blitz by adding a high-end 26x megazoom camera to its much-buzzed-about X series, which includes the Fujifilm FinePix X100 and X10. Though the new X-S1 doesn't have the same retro hipster design appeal as the X100 and X10, it does share the X10's 12-megapixel, 2/3-inch EXR CMOS sensor, which is significantly larger than any other megazoom currently on the market (including the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ150/Leica V-Lux 3).

It's not the first Fujifilm megazoom to sport such a large sensor, though: The well-regarded Fujifilm FinePix S100fs from 2008 also had a 2/3-inch sensor (though it was an 11-megapixel CCD), but it was eventually replaced by the FujfilmFinePix S200EXR, which dropped the sensor down to a 12-megapixel 1/1.6-inch Super CCD EXR.

With the X-S1, though, Fujifilm is trying to capitalize on some X-factor allure by associating it with the X100 and X10, and has added a pricetag to match: At $799.95, it's the highest-priced megazoom out there and significantly higher in price than the earlier large-sensor megazooms from Fujifilm. For that hefty price, you'll get a wide-angle 26x manual zoom lens (24-624mm equivalent, f/2.8-5.6); super macro capabilities (focus as close as 1cm); 7fps burst-mode shooting (10fps at 6 megapixel resolution); 0.01-second shutter lag; a 0.47-inch, 1.4 million-dot EVF; a 3-inch, 460,000-dot tilting LCD; a heads-up sensor to automatically switch between the EVF and LCD, and more. You'll also get a pretty hefty camera--the X-S1 weighs in at a beefy 33.3 oz and measures 5.3x4.2x5.9 inches. Compare that to a Canon EOS Rebel T3i, which weighs in at about 25.7 ounces with the 18-55mm kit lens and measures about 5.2x3.9x3.1 inches sans lens, and you'll get an idea of what kind of heft we're talking about. Still, you do get the flexibility of a 24-624mm zoom, and while there are other 26x and longer megazooms, none will likely match the image quality.

Other key features include:

1080p HD video recording at 30fps

High-speed video recording (320fps) for slow-motion playback

Full manual controls

Four auto bracketing options

Eight Film Simulation and white balance functions

Raw and Raw plus JPEG file shooting

ISO 100 - 12800

Mini-HDMI output

Motion Panorama 360°

Lithium Ion rechargeable battery providing up to 500 shots per charge

The Fujifilm FinePix X-S1 ship this month with a retail price of $799.95.